The Beef Edge

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Is clover an option for your farm? Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

Teagasc researcher, Deirdre Hennessy, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to discuss what you need to know about clover swards. With the price of chemical fertiliser this spring Deirdre highlights that clover most definitely has a role on all grass based systems. Before establishing white clover, Deirdre advises on the importance of good soil fertility (soil pH 6.2-6.5, soil P index 3 or 4, soil K index 3) and good infrastructure where each paddock is grazed within 3 days on an 18-21 day rotation. She also discusses weeds – whether over-sowing or reseeding – and clover varieties, advising which clover varieties will best suit your needs. In order to reduce bloat risk, Deirdre says that, for animals accustomed to clover swards, bloat is not usually an issue. But for high risk animals, introduce them gradually to clover swards, don’t let them in hungry to clover swards and don’t move them from poor quality swards to clover ones. Alternatively feed roughage before grazing and graze when the clover sward is dry, or use bloat oil in the water (25ml/LU/Day). Grass 10 are organising a number of clover farm walks around the country for the month of April - dates and times are on the Teagasc website. Check out Teagasc.ie for further information and talk to your advisor. For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com.

Feed, Fertiliser, Fodder & Fuel: the Steps Farmers Can Take in the Weeks Ahead Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Following the National Fodder and Food Security Committee meeting last week, Teagasc Head of Drystock, Pearse Kelly, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an insight into the steps farmers can take in the coming weeks. With the current cost of fertiliser, farmers are questioning what to do and Pearse advises to apply fertiliser requirements to grow the silage crops for first cut silage. When farmers are applying fertiliser to grazing ground they should consider the impact that lower fertiliser rates will have such as less surplus bales. Increasing utilisation of grass is key to maximising weight gain and reduce concentrates. Increasing the number of paddocks to ensure stock move every 3-4 days while reducing the number of grazing groups to allow this is essential. With the current beef market, Pearse suggests that it is an ideal time to sell late calling cows and poorer performing cows and keep replacement heifers in their place. With increased number of cattle coming on sale in the second half of the year, prices are currently strong. He also says now is the time to plan ahead and to take action to reduce stress and concerns. There is help available. Talk to your Teagasc advisor, merchant and financial institution as they are available to help you ease concerns and make a plan. Further information Starting grazing – walk your farm: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/walk-your-farm--it-will-make-decision-making-easier.php The 5 minute cash flow: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/reviewing-finances-with-a-5-minute-cashflow-.php Find a Teagasc advisor: https://www.teagasc.ie/about/farm-advisory/advisory-regions/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

‘Tommy the Vet’ on the impact the current changes in the antibiotic regulations are having on farms Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

With changes in the regulations surrounding antibiotics introduced since 28th January, Tommy Heffernan aka ‘Tommy the Vet’ is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with tips and advice. Firstly, Tommy outlines some key tips to ensure the health of calves from birth onwards. He highlights the impact the current changes in the antibiotic regulations are having at farm level and says that calf scours are an issue on most farms. Tommy discusses what farmers do to treat calves and prevent it becoming a problem. Coccidiosis & Crypto are unfortunately issues on some farms also and Tommy outlines ways to prevent it and the best treatment. Finally, Tommy outlines some tips for farmers considering implementing a vaccination programme this spring. For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Farmer Focus: Cathal Irwin’s suckler to store system in Castlebar, Co. Mayo Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Future Beef programme participant Cathal Irwin from Co. Mayo is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into grassland management on his farm this spring and planning ahead for silage 2022. Cathal operates a suckler to store system in Castlebar and farms just over 18 ha of predominantly heavy land. Cows calve in December and January so that the calves can thrive at grass when they hit the grass in April. Weanlings currently average 450/kg and have achieved 0.98kg per day since birth. Depending on the weather this week, Cathal plans on letting store cattle to grass this weekend or next depending on ground conditions. He plans to graze driest most recently reseeded paddocks then go with 30 units of urea or 2000 gallons of slurry to the acre (LESS) depending on ground conditions. Soil samples indicated lime is not too bad with most of the clay soils around 6.3 and peat soils 5.3. Phosphorus is index 3 or 4 and Potassium is index 1 or 2. Cathal plans to close up 16 acres for two cut silage system. In 2015 he put in a paddock system and has never looked back. Every paddock has access to a water trough with current paddock size around 1.6 to 2 acres and he would typically graze all store bullocks and cows and calves in one bunch. Teagasc is hosting a series of spring walks this spring and you can find your local walk here: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/spring-beef-grass-walks-2022.php You can complete a fodder budget for your farm for winter 2022 here: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Fodder-Plan-18.pdf For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

What can I do to manage costs this year? Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Philip O’Connor, Head of Farm Support, and Trevor Boland, accountant with Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society (IFAC), join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what can be done to help manage costs this year on farm and how to plan and budget for the year ahead. Trevor advises to get your books and records in to the accountant early which means you will know if you have a tax bill early in the year and budget to pay it later, while if a refund is owed you get it back into your pocket straight away. It also allows for better planning on how to reduce any tax bill and allows you to make changes that allow the farm become more profitable in current year. Trevor highlights the importance of increasing grass growth and utilisation is the main thing beef farmers can do to reduce costs and increase profitability. By setting up a simple paddock system with a few pigtail posts you will get far more benefit from the grass grown and from there look to increase the amount of grass grown on the farm. Target quality grass at young stock who will gain most and most importantly ensure you have enough quality silage in the yard next winter. Regular weighing and monitoring of performance is also important to both reduce costs and increasing profitability. Philip describes the key steps when applying for a loan and dealing with the bank. Taking action early to deal with problems reduces stress and concerns. Philip advises farmers to get projections and cashflows done. Beef farmers, in particular, receive the majority of their income in the back end of the year, such as selling weanlings or BPS, BEEP, payments. Trevor highlights that there is a possibility of getting a cheaper overdraft or perhaps restructuring to a loan or rescheduling payments so as not to be using the higher overdraft rates during the year. For further details: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/financial-analysis/monitor--budget-cashflow/ Drystock cashflow planner: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Cash-Flow_Dry-Stock_A4.pdf IFAC: www.ifac.ie For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Top tips for calf rearing Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

As dairy calves start to arrive on farms, Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef participant, Shane Cranny from Co. Carlow, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to share some of his top tips when it comes to rearing calves and an update on his farm. Shane purchases calves in the autumn and has grown the number of calves to 110, purchased in 2021. Shane targets to slaughter off grass as steers at 22-24 months of age and says that buying the right calf from reliable sources, optimising the calf’s nutrition and health, along with limiting disease pressure, are absolutely critical. He also seeks information on the dairy herd’s health and feeding protocol, vaccination programme and any current or previous disease issues. Shane describes the protocol from once calves arrive on the farm with attention to detail important to minimise mortality and he highlights the importance of good housing through minimising draughts and good ventilation. For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/green-acres-calf-to-beef/farmers/shane-cranny/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Is an organic beef production system an option for my farm? Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

As the new Organic Farming Scheme opens today on the 9th February, organic specialist Joe Kelleher gives tips and considerations for conversion to organic farming on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. The government is targeting a conversion of 350,000 Ha of agricultural land to organics over the next 5 years and Joes outlines the opportunities and steps to conversion. Given the rising input costs, he also has organic farming tips that beef farmers consider even if they didn’t want to take the full leap to converting. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/organics/events/ https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/organics/training/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Using pig manure as a cheaper fertiliser alternative Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

With the high price of fertiliser this spring, Teagasc pig development officer, Gerard McCutcheon, and Teagasc specialist, Mark Plunkett, are on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an insight into using pig manure as a cheap alternative and the dos and don’ts around importing slurry. Gerard highlights that each 1000 gallons is currently worth €48 (double what it is usually worth!) which is a total fertiliser value of over €23 million. 1000 gallons of pig slurry is equivalent to a bag of 19-7-20 so there is great scope when we look at the fertiliser costs and inputs on beef farms. At this stage there are around 280 to 300 farms keeping pigs commercially around the country with the majority in counties Cavan and Cork, so there are opportunities for farmers to make contact with neighbouring pig farms. Before this happens Gerard advises that the beef farmer needs to do the calculation of how much slurry they would be able to take in. This is based on the organic Nitrogen from the previous year but some is based on the chemical fertiliser to be used in the current year. Gerard highlights the importance of doing the calculation now at the start of the year and speaking to your advisor. Mark highlights how LESS (Low Emission Slurry Spreading) technology delivers the slurry in narrow bands, thus reducing its surface area and reducing Nitrogen (N) loss and improving the recovery of N from slurry. It also allows a very even distribution of nutrients across the spread width, which ensures the targeted delivery of nutrients to where they will be maximised especially the N. It also reduces odours and smells at time of application and it allows application into higher grass covers and faster return of grazing animals to grazing fields. Plus, it allows the application of slurry at times when soil conditions are better thus reducing the risk of soil compaction. Switching from splashplate to LESS and timing from summer to spring application can increase N recovery by 6 units/ 1,000gals. Mark describes how pig slurry has a very well balanced nutrient profile with 19-7-20 in terms of available N P & K. Pig slurry is a very good fertiliser for grazing fields at ~ 1,500 gals/ac or on silage fields apply 3,000 gal/ac which will supply 70% of the crops’ N requirements, all the crops P requirements and ~ 80% of the crops’ K requirements. Mark advises to leave 3 months between lime and slurry application or alternatively apply the slurry first and then apply the lime in 10 days’ time to reduce the risk of N losses. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/pigs--poultry/using-pig-slurry-to-save-money-makes-more-sense-than-ever.php For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

The performance of Newford farm in 2021 and top tips at calving Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

As calving season approaches on the Newford farm, Farm technician Michael Fagan gives an insight into the preparation in advance of calving and a review of performance of the herd in Athenry where there are 76 cows and 17 heifers due to calve from the start of February for 10 weeks. The cows are all in-calf to 5 star terminal bulls. Michael explains that cows are currently on ad-lib silage 66-68 DMD. However, heavy cows with good conditional score are having their silage restricted. 100g of a pre-calving mineral is given on top of the silage each day since the 1st of December 2021. All cows have been treated for fluke and lice. Lime is spread on the slats each day on the slats, which helps to control any bugs and it also helps to keep the cows’ udder and teats clean. Micheal describes the vaccination programme pre calving also, and talks through the steps taken when cows and heifers are calving. Newford yearling heifers were housed on the 7th December due to the good autumn. On Thursday 20th January they were let back to grass. They were turned out at 411 kg and they achieved an average daily gain from birth of 1.12 Kg/head/day. The aim is for a live weight of 555 Kgs at a 52 % kill out. The male weanlings were housed on the 18th November and on the 6th of January were 396 kg and they achieved average daily gain since housing of 0.67 kg/head/day. Michael describes how last year there were 38 steers of which 9 were finished off grass with concentrates. The rest were finished indoors. They graded R= 3 – with an average live carcass weight of 357 Kg at 21 months of age. There were 56 heifers of which 38 were finished off grass with concentrates. The rest were finished indoors. They graded R= 3 – with an average carcass weight of 311 Kg at 20 months. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Is a registered farm partnership an option for me? Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

As the registered farm partnership deadline approaches on 11th February 2022, Teagasc Collaborative Farm specialist, Gordon Peppard, gives an insight into what you need to do to set up a farm partnership, its benefits and implications. At this time of year farmers start considering various farming options in advance of submitting the basic payment in May. Gordon explains that Registered Farm Partnerships (RFPs) are one of a number of collaborative farm business structure arrangements that will play a key role in the improvement of the social and structural demographics of Irish farms. Some of the current challenges facing Irish farmers are: age profile, land fragmentation, smaller farm size, financial viability, rural isolation, and farm safety. RFPs provide a framework where farmers can work together in a formal business arrangement, where the profits of the business are shared among the partners in that business. For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/succession-farm-partnerships/ On Registered Farm Partnerships: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/rural-economy/rural-development/diversification/1-Farm-Management----Registered-Farm-Partnerships.pdf And on the DAFM website: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/b29f0-register-farm-partnership/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

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